LAHORE: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) had a lazy trading session where the indices crawled up but volumes dropped down. Pakistan equities ended on a positive note, closing up 175 points to settle at 43,690 index level. This was supported by the unexpected victory of PML-N in yesterday’s NA-154 by-election in Lodhran, following the seat fell vacant in the wake of disqualification of PTI leader Jahangir Tareen by Supreme Court in December 2017.
On the other hand, media reports of a possible increase in banks’ pension liabilities on apex court’s order to a minimum of Rs 8,000 per month – which was lower than expected, led to excitement in banking stocks. Investors rejoiced this decision as the impact was lower than expected.
The first listing of the year, Matco Foods Limited (MFL +5.00 per cent), was received warmly by investors on its first day of trading. The script opened the day at its upper circuit breaker and stayed strong all day long.
The KSE 100 index traded positive all day long and recorded an intraday high of 43,878.33 with a rise of 363.25 points. The KMI 30 index depreciated again. The index closed lower by 125.82 points at 73,697.43. The KSE All Share Index gained 96.96 points with 146 advancers and 173 decliners.
Sector-wise data indicate that Commercial Banks added 167 points to the index gain. This was followed by Fertilizer sector that added 23 points. On the contrary, Cements withheld 21 points from the index.
Meanwhile, trading volumes and value during the trading session shrunk by 5 per cent.
Stocks including HBL (+3.3 per cent), UBL (+2.3 per cent), ENGRO (+1.1 per cent), PIBTL (+5.7 per cent) and BAFL (+2.7 per cent) added 186 points to the index whereas stocks including LUCK (-1.1 per cent), DAWH (-1.3 per cent), DGKC (-2.2 per cent), SEARL (-2 per cent) and HASCOL (-2.1 per cent) withheld 62 points from the index.
Netsol Technologies (NETSOL) announced 2Q2017 consolidated earnings of Rs 492 million. Earnings per share were reported at Rs 5.38 which is more than that of FY17, up 292 per cent YoY. Revenues of the company were down 9 per cent YoY to Rs 1.2 billion, however, gross profits improved by 14 per cent YoY to Rs 596 million. Along with higher gross profits, other income of NETSOL also jumped to Rs 190 million against Rs 2.2 million during the same period last year.
Jubilee General Insurance (JGICL) also reported 2017 consolidated earnings of Rs 1.1 billion, EPS at Rs 6, flat on YoY basis. Net premiums of the company were up 11 per cent to Rs 4.6 billion, however, higher net claims and net expenses kept underwriting income in check. Underwriting income of JGICL was down 14 per cent YoY to Rs 409 million. Investment income also declined by 22 per cent to Rs 869 million as equity markets were down 15 per cent. The company also announced a final cash dividend of Rs 4 per share.
Technically speaking, the 100 Index tested 10EMA (43,883) on daily charts for the 2nd straight session but closed on a reactive note. For now, immediate resistance is 43,900 points, Monday’s intraday high, while 43,032 (200EMA) is expected to be the next possible support.
